Chargers produce three goals in second half

After receiving a not-so-pleasing analysis of their first-half performance, the Wayne Country Day girls' soccer team returned to the pitch in determined fashion Tuesday afternoon. The Chargers logged two goals within a seven-minute span and dealt Ridgecroft a 3-0 loss in their N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A playoff contest.

Wayne Country Day (13-3-2 overall) earned its first appearance in the state semifinals since 2005 and opposes Faith Christian-Rocky Mount on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Gillette Soccer Complex in Wilson.

"We've had three or four games in a row where we've come out in the first half just lackadaisical," said Heinemann. "After 40 minutes, I've had to give them a speech that outlines exactly what they were doing wrong."

The synopsis this time?

The second-seeded Chargers weren't communicating and didn't use the sideline consistently to spread the Rams' defense. They struggled to build attacks from the midfield and lost possession on several occasions.

"But we turned it on the second half," said Heinemann.

Indeed.

WCDS disrupted Ridgecroft's offense by intercepting passes and pushed balls outside to take advantage of space. The communication improved and led to great organization down the sidelines.

All three second-half goals came in the flow of play.

"We spread their defense and found open players in the middle," said Heinemann.

Junior Brooke Norris broke the scoreless tie with an unassisted goal about 15 minutes into the second half. She corralled a loose ball outside the 18 and centered a lofting shot over Rams keeper Caitlin Harrison which settled into the net.

About five minutes later, eighth-grade forward Mack Thompson pushed a ball down the right sideline and crossed a pass into the box toward junior Danielle Holland. The ball deflected off Holland's right shinguard and bounced into the goal past a diving Harrison.

Thompson collected the Chargers' third goal with about five minutes left in regulation. It was her team-leading 12th goal of the season.

"The first two goals were because the ball came from the sidelines first," said Heinemann, whose team owned a decisive 21-8 edge in shots. "The third goal was more of a through ball because their defense had given up by then."

WCDS goalie Ellen Elmore logged seven saves and recorded her eighth shutout of the season.